Maximo Park will close up shop on A Certain Trigger with the release of a new single, "I Want You To Stay." The release is set for February 20th (UK) and will be backed new mixes from Field Music and Christian Vogel as well as a freshly recorded b-side, "La Quinta." The band is also in the midsts of writing material for a new full-length due in 2006.

Instead of sitting at home when Stereolab comes to your town, get up off the couch, shell out the few dollars, and experience their live show. It's a treat for you and for them.

Despite having just released You Could Have It So Much Better, Franz Ferdinand are reportedly returning to the studio with 12-14 tracks in tow and ready to record another follow-up.

According to their website, Gainesville punkers Against Me! have just inked a deal with Sire Records.

Swearing At Motorists have posted two new songs for download from their forthcoming album, Last Night Becomes This Morning, over at Secretly Canadian. The release is scheduled for February 14th.

It's sure to be a noodlefest, but Banyan (featuring the likes of Stephen Perkins, Nels Cline and Mike Watt) will perform a New Year's Eve show with members of The Innocent Criminals at Crown Hall in Mendocino, CA. Details can be found at Family Style Presents.

Dark-hop troubadour Dalek will head out on tour all February next year in further support of his latest album, Absence.

Catfish Haven are currently putting the finishing touches on their debut EP Please Come Back, due out January 24th on Secretly Canadian. Why don't you download the title track and give 'em a whirl (despite their unfortunate name). The group have planned two special New Year's Eve shows as well as a brief February tour to christen their debut.

Why don't you begin the day by heading over to KCRW and listening to the recent appearance by The Earlies on the Morning Becomes Electic (or watch the video). Unfortunately, you'll need the Real Player.

SU superfriends Far-Less have posted the official tracklist of their upcoming album, Everyone Is Out To Get Us, over at Tooth & Nail (but we snagged it to save you the click). As we've been telling you, look for the album February 7th.

Every two weeks Vice Recordings plans on posting "a new, unreleased, or rare recording" on Up Your Jaxxy (e.g., the Vice Recordings blog). They've kicked off things with a remix track from Bloc Party. Bookmark the page and remember to check back about every two weeks.

Death Cab for Cutie has announced that it will be releasing videos for every track off of their major label debut Plans. The videos will be directed by a variety of specials guests including Lance Bangs, Monkmus, and more. Expect to see them start sprouting up on the bands official site starting in January.

While you won't get it in time for Christmas this year, The Features have released a limited edition 7" featuring their previously exclusive track "The New Christmas Wishbook." Only 500 were made and you can only get them via mail order on their site.

Scottish quartet Travis completed their first round of studio sessions with producer Nigel Godrich last month, in preparation to release their fifth album (and a proper follow-up to 12 Memories) sometime in 2006. Bassist Dougie Payne posted around 16 journal entries over at travisonline.com during the recording process. Expect Travis back in the studio in January, but you've got lots of reading to do before then.

Is it ever really too early to start hearing about South By Southwest? Not in my book. SXSW 2006 will take place March 15th - 19th (in Austin, TX as always) and tickets are only $475! Among the first confirmed acts are The Secret Machines, The Go! Team, Mates of State, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Cat Power, our very own BellaParker, and a slew more. We'll keep you updated once the full lineup is announced.

We've been following the beginnings of Angels and Airwaves, the new band from Tom DeLonge. The band has posted two self-indulgent, bordering-on-cheesy video clips on their newly launched website. From the look of things, there's now a movie (eh?) coming early next year, too. More than likely, it'll just be the series of "video podcasts" they're releasing. Who really knows, given DeLonge's ginourmous cash reserve.

Maybe that new Pharrell single isn't doing much for ya. How about a rock remix by Travis Barker? Listen to "Can I Have It Like That?" Rock Remix version in Real Audio or Windows Media and see if that does anything for ya. The album hits stores on January 24th.

We're hearing that Open Hand is headed into "The Vault" studio in LA to begin recordings for their followup to You And Me.

Remember the last time you saw The Silver Jews on tour? It was great, right? Wrong. It's never been done before. However, now that Tanglewood Numbers is out they have decided to give it a go. One month on the road should provide a good taste test if they'll ever do it again.

Despite having just released a collaborative effort with Iron & Wine, Calexico will be releasing a full-length album on April 11th entitled Garden Ruin. The disc reportedly plays down the Southwestern element of the band and plays up more pop sensibilities, their improvistational skills, and even tosses in a bit of a political slant. Should be interesting...